["I might even go so far as to say that I was hoping the same."

Aerith watches him for several moments, wondering if he's kidding with her as he is sometimes wont to do. Perhaps not, though. There's something in his smile that implies otherwise. If she's reading him right at all. Aerith is not an expert at reading him, after all.

Even though she can't figure it out, his smile is contagious and it doesn't take long for her to mirror his expression right back at him.]

You're right. I wouldn't. I love coming to these kinds of things. Everyone's so happy and I like seeing that. It gives everyone a chance to let things go a bit. We all need it from time to time, even those of us who would claim otherwise.